Back before the British Invasion derailed America's early-'60s, multiracial, dance-crazed, Big Beat revolution, our pop-music arena was a surprisingly inclusive community of wild-ass rockers, with a Top Five populated by the likes of Louisiana bluesman Slim Harpo and “Surfin' Bird” sickos The Trashmen. One of the stomping-est shouters of the day was Gary U.S. Bonds, the Florida-born, African-American R&B rocker whose hits “Quarter to Three” and “New Orleans” epitomized the over-the-top, ass-shaking delights of pre-Beatles rock & roll. The arrival of his autobiography, By U.S. Bonds, That's My Story, guarantees access to a trove of insight, mind-blowing anecdotes and testaments to the influence of one of the nation's most overlooked pop architects. Bonds, who will present and discuss the book along with co-author Stephen Cooper, remained a significant force throughout the '70s and '80s– he co-wrote (with Swamp Dogg!) Johnny Paycheck's 1972 country comeback hit, “She's All I Got,” and subsequently recorded, several times, with Bruce Springsteen (who was a fan) and his E Street Band. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Mon., June 17, 7 p.m.; free, book is $30. (310) 659-3110, booksoup.com.

Mon., June 17, 7 p.m., 2013

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